The new pay-by-weight bins system proposed by the government has been delayed for the next year.

The move comes amid controversy about some families being forced to pay hugely inflated bills.

In the meantime, waste companies that are part of the Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) have agreed to freeze their charges and use the next 12 months to share tips to their customers about how to benefit from their waste disposal and recycling.

Waste management companies that are part of the IWMA have agreed to freeze bin changes at their current prices for the next year.

2. Why?

The Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) said the move is in a bid to "alleviate consumer concerns about pricing".

3. So what am I paying now?

The move means that no householder putting out the same quantities of waste will face any additional charges during the first 12 months of the Pay By Weight government scheme. Instead, customers will receive a cost comparison from their waste companies that will show the amount of waste they are disposing, their current costs and the equivalent Pay By Weight Charges.

4. Is this a move towards the Pay By Weight system?

Yes. The IWMA said providing this cost comparison for the next 12 months before the system kicks in will help householders better understand how waste charges are calculated and they will be able to see how recycling more can reduce their annual charges. The Pay By Weight system will kick in on July 1, 2016.

5. Will anything else happen?

Yes. The IWMA said their aim is to ensure customers "reap the benefits" of the Pay By Weight charging system when it is fully rolled out. They are going to use the 12 month transition period to encourage waste prevention and recycling.

6. So, what will the government do?

Waste companies said they expect the Department of Environment to provide an informative awareness campaign that allows the public to understand the need for and benefits of the Pay By Weight system.

Furthermore, the Government could still be facing a legal challenge - as not every waste company is a member of the IWMA which has agreed the price freeze.

7. What will happen those with incontinence wear now?

Waste contractors who are members of the Irish Waste Management Association have also agreed to provide a weight allowance to HSE patients supplied with incontinence wear to reduce their annual waste charges. IWMA members are committed to an arrangement whereby the additional weight attributed to non-infancy incontinence wear will be collected free of charge.